Port solution?
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CUSTOMS officers at Dover docks are taking steps to meet the complaints put forward by a consortium of freight agents in the port.
Pre-entered paper are now being returned by customs officers so that transit documents and lorries can be brought forward by the forwarders' consortia for immediate processing. Dover Harbour Board says that it is hoped that this will give both the agents and the drivers a better idea of their position in the entry queue and allow for more accurate scheduling arrangements.
And the customs officials in Manchester are to vet on a selective basis to see that documents are filled out correctly and if this proves successful then the system will be extended to Dover. • But this week Dover Harbour Board director of operations Donald Soppitt commented that he thought the actions of the Customs and Excise would still be inadequate to cope with the needs of a rapid transit ro-ro port in peak times.